It was western expectations versus Chinese reality, and recent history. All interlaced together in one piece.

It was a comparison of the two, which in my mind, the former not even relevant, but the guy had to write for all audiences.

The most interesting part or curious part for me was the reforms 3.0 in the article, where the outside world perceived what will happen when Xi took the helm.

Would Xi liberalize more or go more authoritarian? According to the west, the latter happened.

In my mind, if Xi liberalized, makes no difference, it would be more or less the same to what he had done up to now anyways. LOL.

One of best things Xi Jingpin ever did was the electronic payments for the system, which means no cash which means no means to hide corrupt transactions. That is not authoritarianism or Liberalism, it was the right thing to do.

The west seems really stuck on the point that things must be done their way. And when it is not, there is no plan B.

But there is a plan B, and that is the Chinese way.

That, the west still cannot accept, such as Trump, and Biden next.